2018 Landrover Range Rover Evoque SUV Crossover Review & Ratings

Performance

The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque crossover SUV is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine. The SE, SE Premium, and HSE trims have an output of 237 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque, while the HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims have an output of 286 hp and 296 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is standard. Even with the base tune, the power delivery was adequate and there was no sluggishness in moving around. It took 6.6 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, which was an expected performance in its category. However, the transmission did not feel refined, as if it was hesitant to choose the right gear. While not being the most athletic through twists and turns, its cornering ability wasn’t disappointing. Body roll was still controlled and there was enough grip to maintain on the lane. The steering helped in tracking accurately but it was cumbersome and more effort was needed in maneuvering. The brakes were reliable but didn’t have the strongest bite. It was able to stop in 172 feet from 70 mph, which was average in its category. There was a progressive response from pressing the pedal further and controlling the brakes felt intuitive.

Technology

The base SE trim comes standard with a heated rear windshield, halogen headlights, LED taillights, rain-activated wipers, keyless entry, heated power-folding side mirrors, power-adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming mirror and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen and an eight-speaker sound system. Several advanced safety and driver aids come standard as well as off-road driving aids including hill descent control, low-speed cruise control, and terrain -dependent driving modes. The SE Premium trim adds xenon headlights, a hands-free liftgate, and driver seat memory settings. The HSE trim adds heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, an upgraded 11-speaker sound system and additional advanced safety and driver aids. The HSE Dynamic trim adds illuminated door sills and exterior upgrades. The Autobiography trim adds adaptive LED headlights, a heated windshield, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and an upgraded 17-speaker sound system. There are two trim levels for the two-door Convertible version, namely the SE Dynamic and the HSE Dynamic. The SE Dynamic is similarly equipped as the SE trim and adds front seat memory functions, an upgraded 10.2-inch touchscreen, and an 11-speaker sound system. The HSE Dynamic is similarly equipped as the same trim level for the four-door version.

Safety

The 2018 Range Rover Evoque was not yet tested by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Association (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The advanced safety and driver aids that come standard with the base trim include a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, and front and rear parking sensors. More features are added to the higher trim levels and they include blind-spot monitoring, automatic parking assist, a 360-degree camera, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, driver condition monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Appearance

The 2018 Range Rover Evoque has a length of 171.5 inches, a width of 74.78 inches, a height of 64.4 inches and a wheelbase of 104.8 inches. Despite being the smallest of the Range Rover lineup, the silhouette of the Evoque still pays homage to its biggest sibling. The front fascia is sleeker and less angular but the wide jawline remains. The rear is more akin to a hatchback due to its compact size. The base trim comes standard with 18-inch wheels but all trim levels can have up to 20-inch wheels. The sunroof is standard for all trims. Starting with the SE Premium trim, exterior appointments such as sporty bodywork and trim accents can be specified.

Comfort

Getting inside was a stretch because the floor is raised high. While its doors opened wide, even the average passenger would have to duck his head because of the low roofline. Up to five people can be accommodated by the two rows of seats, with just enough allowance for movement. However, it wasn’t as spacious as its bigger siblings in the Range Rover lineup. The front seats were supportive and kept the driver in place during spirited driving. The range of adjustability allowed most passengers to fit inside the seat. The rear seats, however, weren’t as ergonomic to the body compared to the front. Comfort was decent and did not induce fatigue during long drives. There was no slack observed in the leather upholstery for the seats and interior trim. The ride quality was still compliant to bumps even if it handled with good poise on the road. Impacts were still felt but they weren’t harsh to the ride. Bigger wheels might not be as forgiving as the smaller wheels. Road and wind noise were muted decently and did not bother the interior ambiance.

Cargo

There is 20.3 cu-ft of space behind the second row, and folding the seats down opens up 51 cu-ft of space available for cargo.